System for improving motor vehicle performance

ABSTRACT

A system for improving motor vehicle performance includes an air intake heat exchanger placed in-line with the air intake of the motor vehicle. The air intake heat exchanger is coupled to a source of pressurized media for selective application of the pressurized media to the air intake heat exchanger for cooling and drying intake air prior to reaching the intake manifold and ultimately the combustion chamber. The system further includes a flow inducing member positioned within the exhaust pipe of a motor vehicle. The flow inducing member is coupled to the source of pressurized media for selective application of the pressurized media in a manner which creates an increased flow within the exhaust system thereby increasing the flow through the air intake and intake manifold. A system for exhausting CO 2  to an adjacent vehicle is also disclosed. The system includes an outlet for dispensing CO 2  along the side of the motor vehicle such that the CO 2  may enter the intake of motor vehicles adjacent the dispensing system to thereby reduce the performance of the motor vehicles coming into contact with the CO 2 .

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based upon U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/469,011, filed May 9, 2003, entitled “SYSTEM FOR IMPROVING MOTORVEHICLE PERFORMANCE”, which is currently pending.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to a system for improving motor vehicleperformance. More particularly, the invention relates to a motor vehiclesystem utilizing compressed liquefied gas for cooling, drying,increasing flow of intake air, increasing flow of exhaust gases, andultimately enhancing performance. In addition, the present inventionrelates to a system for potentially reducing performance of other doseproximity vehicles.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] Individuals within the automotive industry are continuallylooking for ways in which to improve the performance of combustionengines. Over time, it has been learned that cool dry air optimizescombustion of fuel within the combustion chamber of an automobile. Inaddition, the ability for one to provide increased gaseous flow to andfrom the combustion chamber also affects the performance of the motorvehicle.

[0006] Superchargers and turbochargers have been incorporated withinmotor vehicles in an effort to optimize vehicle performance. However,these systems are expensive to incorporate and include performance lagtimes due to their inability to provide for an immediate increase ingaseous flow.

[0007] In addition, recent motor vehicles have utilized nitrous oxide inan effort to cool and dry intake air entering combustion chambers.However, the implementation of these systems is very expensive and thenitrous oxide is difficult to utilize.

[0008] With this in mind, a need continues to exist for a system wherebymotor vehicle performance is improved in a convenient and cost effectivemanner. The present invention provides such a system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide asystem for improving motor vehicle performance, wherein the motorvehicle includes an air intake, an intake manifold, a combustion chamberand an exhaust system including an exhaust pipe. The system includes anair intake heat exchanger placed in-line with the air intake of themotor vehicle. The air intake heat exchanger is coupled to a source ofpressurized media for selective application of the pressurized media tothe air intake heat exchanger for cooling and drying intake air prior toreaching the intake manifold and ultimately the combustion chamber. Thesystem further includes a flow inducing member positioned within theexhaust pipe of a motor vehicle. The flow inducing member is coupled tothe source of pressurized media for selective application of thepressurized media in a manner which creates an increased flow within theexhaust system thereby increasing the flow through the air intake andintake manifold.

[0010] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a systemfor improving motor vehicle performance, wherein the motor vehicleincludes an air intake, an intake manifold, a combustion chamber and anexhaust system including an exhaust pipe. The system includes a flowinducing member positioned within the exhaust pipe of a motor vehicle.The flow inducing member is coupled to a source of pressurized media forselective application of the pressurized media to the flow inducingmember in a manner which creates increased flow within the exhaustsystem, increasing the flow of air at the air intake and intakemanifold.

[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide a motorvehicle system for exhausting CO₂ toward an adjacent vehicle. The systemincludes a supply of pressurized CO₂ mounted within the vehicle andlinked to a dispensing system for selective dispensing of the CO₂. Thedispensing system includes an outlet for dispensing CO₂ along the sideof the motor vehicle such that the CO₂ may enter the intake of motorvehicles adjacent to the dispensing system to thereby reduce theperformance of the motor vehicles coming into contact with the CO₂.

[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide asystem for improving motor vehicle performance, wherein the motorvehicle includes an air intake, an intake manifold, a combustion chamberand an exhaust system including an exhaust pipe. The system includes anair intake heat exchanger placed in-line with the air intake of themotor vehicle. The air intake heat exchanger is coupled to a source ofpressurized CO₂ for selective application of the CO₂ to the air intakeheat exchanger for cooling and drying intake air prior to reaching theintake manifold and ultimately the combustion chamber.

[0013] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description when viewed inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certainembodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a schematic of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a side view of a flow inducing member in accordance withthe present invention.

[0016]FIG. 3 is a top view of the flow inducing member shown in FIG. 2.

[0017]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the exhaust pipe with the flowinducing member shown in FIG. 2.

[0018]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the flow inducing member shown inFIG. 2.

[0019]FIG. 6 is a front view of a motor vehicle in accordance with thepresent invention.

[0020]FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10 is are perspective views of various flowinducing member designs contemplated in accordance with the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] The detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpretedas limiting, but merely as the basis for the claims and as a basis forteaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention.

[0022] With reference to the various figures, a system 10 for improvingmotor vehicle performance is disclosed. That is, the present system 10improves the power output of a motor vehicle. In general, the presentsystem 10 utilizes compressed liquefied gas 12, for example, pressurizedCO₂, to cool and dry intake air prior to reaching the intake manifold14, and ultimately the combustion chamber 15. The system 10 furtherincreases gaseous flow through the system 10 through the application ofhigh velocity gas within the exhaust pipe 18 of a motor vehicle 20. Inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, boththe compressed liquefied gas utilized in cooling and drying air prior toreaching the intake manifold and the high velocity gas utilized withinthe exhaust pipe are pressurized CO₂, although those skilled in the artmay appreciate other pressurized media which might be used withoutdeparting form the spirit of the present invention. The term pressurizedmedia is used herein in describing a variety of gases, liquids andsolids maintained under pressure for utilization in accordance with thespirit of the present invention.

[0023] More particularly, an air intake heat exchanger 22 is placedin-line with the air intake 24 of a motor vehicle 20. In accordance witha preferred embodiment of the present invention, the air intake heatexchanger 22 is a tube-in-shell heat exchanger. The air intake heatexchanger 22 employs a supply of compressed liquefied gas 12 to coolintake air 26 passing through the heat exchanger 22. In addition tocooling the air 26 passing through the heat exchanger 22, the intake air26 is also dehumidified.

[0024] Once cooled, the intake air 26 is passed through the throttlebody 28, into the intake manifold 14 and within the combustion chamber15 where it combusts with the fuel 30 to power a motor vehicle 20. Bycooling and drying the intake air 26 in this manner, the performance ofthe motor vehicle 20 is enhanced. In particular, it is generallyunderstood by those skilled in the art that dry and cold air enhancesvehicle performance by providing for improved combustion with the motorvehicle fuel.

[0025] The compressed liquefied gas 12 supplied to the heat exchanger 22is preferably in the form of pressurized liquid CO₂ as a greaterpressure drop may be achieved to thereby produce a greater coolingeffect upon the air 26 passing through the air intake heat exchanger 22.With this in mind, the CO₂ canister 32 utilizes a dip tube 34 such thatliquid CO₂ 12 is drawn from the CO₂ canister 32. Activation of the CO₂applied to the air intake heat exchanger 22 is achieved by positioning asolenoid valve 36 along the line 38 leading to the air intake heatexchanger 22. Although liquid CO₂ is utilized in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention, other fluid formats(e.g., liquid or gas) may be employed without departing from the spiritof the present invention.

[0026] In addition to dry and cold air improving motor vehicleperformance, it is generally regarded that colder fuel will enhancemotor vehicle performance. As such, the CO₂ 12 may also be utilized incooling a fuel heat exchanger 40 specifically designed for cooling motorvehicle fuel 30. As with the air intake heat exchanger 22, the fuel heatexchanger 40 is cooled through the application of compressed liquefiedgas 12, preferable pressurized liquid CO₂. In accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention, the CO₂ 12 is suppliedfrom the outlet 44 of the air intake heat exchanger 22. However, and asthose skilled in the art will certainly appreciate, the CO₂ may bedirectly supplied to the fuel heat exchanger 40. Ultimately, the cooledfuel 30 is combined with the cooled intake air 26 in the intake manifold14, cylinder head (not shown) or combustion chamber 15.

[0027] Enhanced flow through the present system 10 is achieved by theinclusion of flow inducing members 46 within the exhaust pipe 18 of amotor vehicle 20. The inclusion of the flow inducing members 46 inaccordance with the present invention creates a higher velocity withinthe exhaust system 48, which enhances the intake of air 26 at the airintake filter 50 and air intake tube 24. More particularly, each flowinducing member 46 is positioned with its wide end 52 facing upstreamand its pointed end 54 facing downstream. As such, and in accordancewith aerodynamics, a lower velocity is created adjacent the pointed end54 of the flow inducing member 46 as exhaust gases pass over the flowinducing member 46. However, and in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention, the flow inducing members 46 areformed such that pressurized gas 56, for example, CO₂ 12, is selectivelyexpelled from the pointed end 54 of the flow inducing member 46.Expelling pressurized gas 56 from the flow inducing member 46 in thisway enhances the flow through the exhaust system 48 and, ultimately,through the intake of a motor vehicle 20.

[0028] With reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, each of the flow inducingmembers 46 is shaped and dimensioned to extend substantially along theentire diameter of the exhaust pipe 18 into which they are positioned.In fact, the free end of the flow inducing member 46 may be formed witha slightly rounded edge conforming to the inner shape of the exhaustpipe 18 into which it is positioned. In addition, and as those skilledin the art will certainly appreciate, the number of flow inducingmembers 46 positioned within an exhaust pipe 18 may be varied to suitspecific needs and specific applications.

[0029] The wing shaped members 46 are preferably constructed of an outershell 58 (for example, composed of CroMoly steel) and an inner fillingmaterial 60 (for example, aluminum). In particular, the outer shell 58is preferably extruded streamline tubing readily available from a widevariety of sources. The extruded tubing is cut to size and filled withaluminum. Once the aluminum hardens a tapered inlet tube 62 is drilledalong the transverse extent of the flow inducing member 46. Jet ports64, perpendicular to the transverse inlet tube 62, are then drilled fromthe pointed end 54 of the flow inducing member 46 into fluidcommunication with the inlet tube 62. As such, pressurized gas flowinginto the inlet tube 62 is forced out of the pointed end 54 of the flowinducing member 46 for enhancing the flow throughout the system 10. Aneven flow of pressurized gas across the jets ports of the flow inducingmember is achieved by tapering the inlet tube 62 as it extends from theopen end of the inlet tube 62 toward the closed end of the inlet tube62.

[0030] The flow inducing member 46 is mounted with the exhaust pipe 18of a motor vehicle 20 via the inclusion of a mounting flange 66 along anedge of the flow inducing member 46. The mounting flange 66 allows forthe insertion of a flow inducing member 46 within a hole 68 formed alongthe wall of the exhaust pipe 18. Thereafter, the mounting flange 66 iswelded to the exhaust pipe 18 for securely mounting the flow inducingmember 46 within the exhaust pipe 18.

[0031] As disclosed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, CO₂ is the pressurized gas utilized in creating thedesired vacuum within the exhaust pipe 18. The CO₂ gas comes from theoutlet 44 of the air intake heat exchanger 22. With this in mind, it ispreferred that the flow of CO₂ through the present system 10 is suchthat pressurized liquid CO₂ 12 is supplied to the air intake heatexchanger 22 where it converts to compressed liquefied gas 12′ forsubsequent transmission to the flow inducing members 46. In addition tothe use of a solenoid valve 36 in selectively activating the flow of CO₂12, the flow of CO₂ 12 is regulated by adjusting the size of the inletorifice through which the CO₂ 12 enters the air intake heat exchanger22.

[0032] As those skilled in the art will certainly appreciate, the flowinducing members may be operated without the heat exchangers to produceenhanced flow through the entire system. When this is desired, it wouldbe advantageous to directly link the flow inducing members to the sourceof pressurized gas, which may take a variety of forms without departingfrom the spirit of the present invention.

[0033] In addition to the heat exchangers 22, 40 and flow inducingmembers 46 discussed above, the CO₂ 12 may be used in conjunction with afire suppression system 70 and ground level CO₂ dispensing system 72.With regard to the fire suppression system 70, the CO₂ 12 is linked to aseries of spray heads 74. The spray heads 74 are strategicallypositioned for dispensing CO₂ in the event a fire is detected. When afire within a motor vehicle engine is sensed, the fire suppressionsolenoid 76 is actuated permitting the flow of CO₂ to the spray heads74. The CO₂ 12 then acts to extinguish the fire.

[0034] The ground level CO₂ dispensing system 72 is a mechanism forreducing the performance of a racing opponent while racing. Inparticular, since CO₂ is a natural fire suppressant and displaces oxygenfrom the area adjacent thereto, the ground level CO₂ dispensing system72 acts to replace the oxygen readily available for a racing opponentwith CO₂. The ground level CO₂ dispensing system 72 dispenses CO₂ underthe control of a solenoid valve 77 along the outside of a motor vehicle20. The dispensed CO₂ will presumably enter the intake of motor vehiclesadjacent the dispensing system 72 to thereby reduce the performance ofthe motor vehicles coming into contact with the CO₂. As with the firesuppression system, the ground level CO₂ dispensing system is controlledby a solenoid valve 77 selectively actuated by the operator of the motorvehicle.

[0035] It is further contemplated that the CO₂ powered heat exchangersdisclosed in accordance with the present invention may be applied inimproving both turbocharger technology and supercharger technology.Where the present technology is applied to turbocharged vehicles, thepresent system will reduce turbo lag. The present system will alsoimprove throttle response. In addition, and although the present systemis primarily designed for using in performance racing vehicles, it iscontemplated that the principles of the present system may be applied togeneral commercial vehicles.

[0036] It is further contemplated that the flow inducing technologyapplied in accordance with the present invention may similarly beapplied in evacuating the motor vehicle crankcase 17. Where the presenttechnology is applied in this manner, flow inducing members 46′ will beconnected to the crankcase 17 of a motor vehicle via an outlet pipe 19secured to the crankcase 17. The partial vacuum created by the flowinducing members 46′ will “reduce windage” within the motor vehicle andultimately enhance performance.

[0037] While a wing shaped flow inducing member 46 is disclosed inaccordance with the prior embodiment, it is contemplated that variousstructures may be utilized for the flow inducing member withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present invention. Various embodimentscontemplated in accordance with the present invention are disclosed inFIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10. With regard to a pair of embodiments disclosed inFIGS. 7 and 8, the flow inducing member 46 a, 46 b takes the generalshape of a teardrop. The tear drop includes a single pointed end throughwhich pressurized gas is selectively expelled for creating a vacuum andenhancing the flow through the exhaust system 48, ultimately enhancingflow the intake side.

[0038] Another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, provides for a simpletubular member for use as the flow inducing member 46 c. The tubularmember includes an outlet port through which pressurized gas is expelledfor creating a vacuum in accordance with the present invention. Finally,and with reference to FIG. 9, an annular flow inducing member 46 d isdisclosed. The annular flow inducing member 46 d sits within the exhaustsystem 48 creating an annular ring within the exhaust system 48. Theannular ring has a profile substantially similar to that of the flowinducing member 46 disclosed in accordance with the embodiment shown inFIGS. 2 to 5. As such, the annular shaped flow inducing member 46 d hasa substantially wing shaped cross-section and exhaust gas flows botharound and within the flow inducing member 46 d as pressurized gas isexhausted therefrom.

[0039] While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, itwill be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention bysuch disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications andalternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

1. A system for improving motor vehicle performance, wherein the motorvehicle includes an air intake, an intake manifold, a combustion chamberand an exhaust system including an exhaust pipe, comprising: an airintake heat exchanger placed in-line with the air intake of the motorvehicle, the air intake heat exchanger being coupled to a source ofpressurized media for selective application of the pressurized media tothe air intake heat exchanger for cooling and drying intake air prior toreaching the intake manifold and ultimately the combustion chamber; anda flow inducing member positioned within the exhaust pipe of a motorvehicle, the flow inducing member being coupled to the source ofpressurized media for selective application of the pressurized media ina manner which creates an increased flow within the exhaust systemthereby increasing the flow through the air intake and intake manifold.2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the pressurized media isCO₂.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the air intake heatexchanger is a tube-in-shell heat exchanger.
 4. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the pressurized media supplied to the air intake heatexchanger is compressed liquefied gas.
 5. The system according to claim1, further including a fuel heat exchanger linked with the motor vehiclefuel supply for cooling fuel prior to combustion, the fuel heatexchanger being coupled to a source of pressurized media for selectiveapplication of the pressurized media to the fuel heat exchanger.
 6. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein the flow inducing member includes awide end facing upstream within the exhaust system and a pointed endfacing downstream within the exhaust system to create a lower velocityadjacent the pointed end of the flow inducing member as exhaust gasespass over the flow inducing member.
 7. The system according to claim 6,wherein the pressurized media is selectively expelled from the pointedend of the flow inducing member to enhance flow through the exhaustsystem and, ultimately through the air intake of a motor vehicle.
 8. Thesystem according to claim 6, wherein the flow inducing member is shapedand dimensioned to extend substantially along an entire diameter of theexhaust pipe into which it is positioned.
 9. A system for improvingmotor vehicle performance, wherein the motor vehicle includes an airintake, an intake manifold, a combustion chamber and an exhaust systemincluding an exhaust pipe, comprising: a flow inducing member positionedwithin the exhaust pipe of a motor vehicle, the flow inducing memberbeing coupled to a source of pressurized media for selective applicationof the pressurized media to the flow inducing member in a manner whichcreates increased flow within the exhaust system, increasing the flow ofair at the air intake and intake manifold.
 10. The system according toclaim 9, wherein the pressurized media is CO₂.
 11. The system accordingto claim 9, wherein the flow inducing member is at least one flowinducing member positioned within the exhaust pipe of the motor vehicle.12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the flow inducing memberincludes a wide end facing upstream within the exhaust system and apointed end facing downstream within the exhaust system to createincreased flow adjacent the pointed end of the flow inducing member asexhaust gases pass over the flow inducing member.
 13. The systemaccording to claim 12, wherein the pressurized media is selectivelyexpelled from the pointed end of the flow inducing member to enhance theflow through the exhaust system and, ultimately through the air intakeof a motor vehicle.
 14. The system according to claim 11, wherein theflow inducing member is shaped and dimensioned to extend substantiallyalong the entire diameter of the exhaust pipe into which it ispositioned.
 15. The system according to claim 11, wherein a free end ofthe flow inducing member is formed with a slightly rounded edgeconforming to an inner shape of the exhaust pipe.
 16. The systemaccording to claim 11, wherein the flow inducing member includes a wingshaped member.
 17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the wingshaped member includes an outer shell and an inner filling material. 18.The system according to claim 17, wherein the outer shell is extrudedstreamline tubing.
 19. The system according to claim 17, wherein thewing shaped member includes a tapered inlet extending along a transverseextent of the flow inducing member, and the wing shaped member furtherincludes jet ports in fluid communication with and perpendicular to thetapered inlet.
 20. The system according to claim 11, wherein the flowinducing member includes a mounting flange for allowing insertion of theflow inducing member within a hole formed along the wall of the exhaustpipe.
 21. A motor vehicle system for exhausting CO₂ toward an adjacentvehicle, comprising: a supply of pressurized CO₂ mounted within thevehicle and linked to a dispensing system for selective dispensing ofthe CO₂, the dispensing system including an outlet for dispensing CO₂along the side of the motor vehicle such that the CO₂ may enter theintake of motor vehicles adjacent to the dispensing system to therebyreduce the performance of the motor vehicles coming into contact withthe CO₂.
 22. A system for improving motor vehicle performance, whereinthe motor vehicle includes an air intake, an intake manifold, acombustion chamber and an exhaust system including an exhaust pipe,comprising: an air intake heat exchanger placed in-line with the airintake of the motor vehicle, the air intake heat exchanger being coupledto a source of pressurized CO₂ for selective application of the CO₂ tothe air intake heat exchanger for cooling and drying intake air prior toreaching the intake manifold and ultimately the combustion chamber. 23.The system according to claim 22, wherein the air intake heat exchangeris a tube-in-shell heat exchanger.
 24. The system according to claim 22,wherein pressurized CO₂ supplied to the air intake heat exchanger ispressurized liquid CO₂ as a greater pressure drop may be achieved tothereby produce a greater cooling effect upon the air passing throughthe air intake heat exchanger.
 25. The system according to claim 22,further including a fuel heat exchanger linked with the motor vehiclefuel supply for cooling fuel prior to combustion, the fuel heatexchanger being coupled to a source of pressurized CO₂ for selectiveapplication of the CO₂ to the fuel heat exchanger.